Prater & Hayes were American black musicians from Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States, who made recordings in the 1920s. [1] Matthew Prater was a mandolin player; Napoleon Hayes played the guitar. [1] They were the first to record Scott Joplin's " The Entertainer", under the title "Easy Winner", combining it with another song. [1] [2] Another tune they borrowed from Joplin was "Somethin' Doin'."
Hayes was born in West Corinth, Mississippi in 1885, and Prater in New Albany, Mississippi on June 30, 1889. [3]
Their recordings showed a fusion of musical styles, of string band, blues and ragtime. [1] [4] Prater took the lead with his mandolin, while Hayes played rhythm guitar. [1] They recorded music under two different group names, the 'Blue Boys' and the 'Johnson Boys' (with Lonnie Johnson). [1]
The three records that they produced were recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 15, 1928. [2]
Their lives after 1928, and the dates of their deaths, are unreported. [3]
Prater .